Hero Xtreme 200S vs rivals: Price, specifications comparison

At the launch of the new XPulse motorcycles, Hero also launched a third motorcycle called the Hero Xtreme 200S. Essentially a fully faired Xtreme 200R, the 200S shares its powertrain and chassis setup with its naked counterpart. While its styling might suggest otherwise, Hero has said that the Xtreme 200S is targeted at riders looking for character and comfort on daily city rides and that it is not an all-out sports motorcycle. The Xtreme 200S then, is much like its direct rival, the Gixxer SF. We’ve also added another entry-level fully faired motorcycle, the Yamaha R15 S to the comparison. We chose not to add the R15 V3.0 as it costs significantly more than the Hero.

Despite having a 200cc engine, the performance figures of the Xtreme 200 are on par with most 160cc motorcycles in the country and it is for this reason that we haven’t compared it to other 200cc motorcycles like the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 that not only produces considerably more power but also costs a fair bit more.

Price
	Hero Xtreme 200S	Suzuki Gixxer SF	Yamaha R15 S
Price (ex-showroom Delhi)	Rs 98,500	Rs 98,076	Rs 1.17 lakh

Powertrain

The Hero Xtreme 200S uses a 199.6cc engine that makes 18.4hp and 17.1Nm, which are the highest numbers here. The R15 and the Gixxer don’t make as much power or torque but they weigh lesser than the Xtreme, which means their power-to-weight ratios are closer than expected. For instance, the R15 S makes nearly 2hp less than the Xtreme, but a weight difference of 15kg means it has a slightly higher power-to-weight ratio. The Hero and the Suzuki are equipped with a 5-speed transmission, while the Yamaha gets a 6-speed gearbox. The Yamaha also has much more advanced tech in the form of a liquid-cooled engine compared to the air-cooled setup of the other two bikes. This means that the Yamaha is the most rev-happy of this lot and also offers the best top-end performance.

Powertrain
Hero Xtreme 200S	Suzuki Gixxer SF	Yamaha R15 S
Engine	199.6cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled	154.9cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled	149cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Power	18.4hp at 8000rpm	14.8hp at 8000rpm	16.58hp at 8500rpm
Torque	17.1Nm at 6500rpm	14Nm at 6000rpm	15Nm at 7500rpm
Power-to-weight ratio	123.48hp/tonne	105.71hp/tonne	123.73hp/tonne

Design and styling

While all three bikes are fully faired, it is the Xtreme 200S that has the most standout design. At first glance, the most noticeable aspect of the Xtreme 200S is its new full-LED headlamp. While its likeability is debatable, what we can agree on is that this is a well-designed motorcycle overall. It isn’t disproportionate like some of the manufacturer’s previous fully faired offerings – the Hero ZMR, for instance – and is definitely better styled than the Xtreme 200R that it is based on.

The Hero features sharp lines and this can also be seen on the Gixxer SF. The Suzuki also has the brightest colour schemes here and comes with a lot of graphics on the fairings, unlike the rather clean look on the Hero. The R15 S, on the other hand, is designed more along the lines of a scaled-down sportbike and is the only one here with clip-on handlebars.

The Yamaha’s tail section, however, isn’t quite as aggressive, but it definitely has the most aggressive riding position. Meanwhile, both the Suzuki and the Hero have nice and upright riding positions that make them more comfortable over a daily commute. Another thing the bikes have in common is a single-seat design that also takes pillion comfort into consideration.

Chassis

The Xtreme 200S uses the same frame as the Xtreme 200R and also borrows its 37mm telescopic fork and monoshock from the bike. The rear monoshock is a 7-step pre-load adjustable unit and this level of adjustability is also available on the Suzuki Gixxer SF. The SF, meanwhile, gets a thicker front fork that is 41mm wide. The R15 S also uses a telescopic fork and monoshock set-up. A key advantage here is the use of Yamaha’s signature ‘Deltabox’ perimeter frame. All three motorcycles come with a single-channel ABS unit.

Chassis
	Hero Xtreme 200S	Suzuki Gixxer SF	Yamaha R15 S
Wheelbase	1337mm	1330mm	1345mm
Seat height	795mm	780mm	800mm
Kerb weight	149kg	140kg	134kg
Brakes (f)	276 mm disc	Disc	320mm disc
Brakes (r)	220mm disc	Disc	220mm disc
Suspension (f)	37mm telescopic fork	41mm telescopic fork	Telescopic fork
Suspension (r)	Monoshock	Monoshock	Monoshock
Tyres (f)	100/80-17	100/80-17	90/80-17
Tyres (r)	130/70 R17	140/60 R17	130/70 R17
Fuel capacity	12.5 litres	12 litres	12 litres

Features

Considering the price point these bikes are at, you don’t expect to find a lot of high-end features. However, Hero has managed to equip the 200S with an all-new TFT digital dash that is also Bluetooth compatible. While it may not be revolutionary tech, it offers Google Maps assisted turn-by-turn navigation, which is a first in the segment. The Suzuki Gixxer SF also gets a digital unit but it isn’t as advanced as the Hero's. The Yamaha features the most conventional setup with an analogue-digital combo. The Hero Xtreme 200R also gets a full LED headlight and tail-light, while the other two bikes use halogen bulbs.

Summing it up

At Rs 1.17 lakh, the Yamaha R15 S costs a fair bit more, but it offers liquid-cooling, a more advanced chassis and a much more sporty riding position in general. The Hero is much cheaper than the Yamaha and offers more than the Xtreme 200R with a full-LED headlamp and a TFT display.  Meanwhile, the Suzuki Gixxer SF is its most direct rival and costs almost exactly the same, but the Xtreme’s additional value is impossible to ignore. However, this is not the final story as the Gixxer is due for an update later this year, and that could swing things back in the Suzuki’s way.

from Autocar India http://bit.ly/2VIEl4g
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